Apparatus for feeding can ends

ABSTRACT

This invention relates to apparatus for feeding upright stacks of can ends to an upright column from the leading end of which column, can ends are fed one at a time in succession to, for example, a can seaming machine. The apparatus includes columnholding means for location of said upright column, conveyor means for carrying a supply of upright stacks of can ends for replenishing said column, said column-holding means being located below the level of said conveyor means, positioning means for positioning each stack in turn on top of the diminished column of can ends, and control means responsive to the height of the column for operating the conveyor means to feed a stack of can ends towards the column holding means to enable the positioning means to locate the said stack on the column and so replenish said column.

United States Patent Graham Sept. 5, 1972 [54] APPARATUS FOR FEEDING CAN ENDS 3,120,324 2/1964 Amberg et a1. ..221/1 1 X [72] Inventor: William John Graham, Lurgan,

Northern Ireland Przmary Examiner-Samuel F. Coleman Assistant Examiner-Francis J. Bartuska [73] Asstgnee: Linear Machine Company Limited, Atmmey Mason Fenwick & Lawrence Lurgan, Northern Ireland [22] Filed: Oct. 5, 1970 [57] ABSTRACT [21] Appl. No.: 77,812 This invention relates to apparatus for feeding upright stacks of can ends to an upright column from the lead- [30] Foreign Application Priority Data mg end of which column, can ends are fed one at a time in succession to, for example, a can seaming Oct. 3, 1969, Great Britain ..48,6l7/69 machine. The apparatus includes column-holding means for location of said upright column, conveyor [52] US. Cl. ..221/l 1, 221/119, 221/176 means for carrying a supply of upright stacks of can [5 Cl. ..'....B6Sg l 1/ I ends for replenishing aid column co]umn-hold- [58] Field 0fSearch...'.....221/1l, 103, 104, 106, 119, ing means being located below the level f said com 221/121, 107; 53/52 64 veyor means, positioning means for positioning each stack in turn on top of the diminished column of can [56] References Cmd ends, and control means responsive to the height of UNITED STATES PATENTS the column for operating the conveyor means to feed v a stack of can ends towards the column holding means 2,571,283 10/1951 I NIC1101SOI1 ..221/11 X to enable the positioning means to locate the said 3,077,287 2/1963 While 221/1 1 X stack on the column and so replenish Said column 2,919,830 l/l960 Anderson ...221/104 X 2,906,072 9/1959 Carlson ..22l/ll X 10 Claims, 13 Drawing Figures PATENTEl'lSiP' 5 1912 v $688,946

sum 1 or 9 I noehlor WILUAM JOHN GRAHAM B miXMM- %M iwmt Attorneys PATENTEDsEP sum 3.688.946

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SHEET 0F 9 [:1 I v :1 i E v lnoenlor WILLJAM Joan GRAHAM A Home y 3 P'ATENTEDSEP 51912 3,688,946

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' sum 9 OF 9 lnvgnlor W\LLIAM Joan GRAHAM Attorneys APPARATUS FOR FEEDING CAN ENDS This invention relates to apparatus for feeding can ends, bottle tops, jam jar lids and like articles (hereinafter referred to simply as can ends) in upright stacks of about 250 can ends by replenishing an upright column of can ends, from the leading end of which column, can ends are fed one at a time to, for example, a can, a bottle, a jam jar closing machine or to a scoring or lining machine or press for applying, for example, wording in the form of instructions to the upper surface of a can end (hereinafter and in the claims referred to simply as machinery for the purpose aforesaid).

According to the present invention, feeding apparatus includes a column-holding means for location of an upright column of can ends from the leading end of which column can ends are fed one at a time in succession to machinery for the purpose aforesaid, conveyor means for carrying a supply of upright stacks of can ends for replenishing said column, positioning means for positioning each stack of can ends in turn on top of the diminished column from the conveyor means, and control means responsive to the height of said column for operating the conveyor means to feed a stack to enable the positioning means to locate the said stack on the column.

Preferably, the conveyor means includes an outwardly projecting track mounted around a frame, and around which frame at least one endless belt is mounted above the level of the track, the belt or belts having thereon a series of upright stack supports, the lower end of each support terminating above the track, the belt or belts being indexed by the positioning means for predetermined movements around the track to bring each stack support in turn into alignment with the column-holding means which is located below the track to allow a stack of can ends located in a stack support to be transferred through an opening in the track to the column-holding means.

Alternatively, the conveyor means includes two vertically spaced conveyors projecting out from one side of a frame, the column-holding means being located at the delivery end of the conveyors, the top conveyor having a series of outwardly projecting biased members, each for location, when depending from the lower flight of the top conveyor, at the top of a stack of can ends located between the two conveyors and serves to assist in keeping the stack of can ends together, support means being provided along one longitudinal side of the frame and positioned between the two conveyors to support and position the upright stacks of can ends and including a series of upright members mounted on supports and adapted for lateral movement between an inboard and an outboard position relative to the conveyors in which positions the members respectively support the stacks, and are withdrawn from the stacks to allow movement of the stacks and conveyors towards the delivery end thereof.

An embodiment of the present invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a side elevation of feeding apparatus according to a first embodiment of the present invention,

FIG. 2 is a plan view of the feeding apparatus of the first embodiment,

FIG. 3 is a section on the line III III of FIG; 1,

FIG. 4 is a side elevation of a fragmentary detail of the feeding apparatus of the first embodiment showing a delivery end with parts removed for the sake of clarity,

FIG. 5 is a sectional plan view on the line V V of FIG. 4.

FIG. 6(a) is a front elevation view of a stack support of the feeding apparatus of the first embodiment,

FIG. 6(b) is a side elevation view of a stack support of the feeding apparatus of FIG. 6(a),

FIG. 6(c) is a plan view of the stack support of FIG.

FIG. 6(d) is a fragmentary detail of a clip of the stack support of FIG. 6(a),

FIG. 7 is a side elevation of feeding apparatus according to a second embodiment,

FIG. 8 is a section on the line VIII VIII of FIG. 7,

FIG. 9 is a section on the line IX IX of FIG. 7; and

FIG. 10 is a sectional plan view of an alternative stack support.

Feeding apparatus and according to the first embodiment includes a frame 9 (FIG. 3) mounted on a stand 8 with height adjustable feet 7 and at one end of which,

hereinafter called the delivery end, column-holding means are located comprising an annular flange 10 adapted for mounting on a feed magazine through which can ends are passed to a machine for the purpose aforesaid. Three rods 11a upstand from the flange 10 and three rods 11b depend from a plate 12, the rods 11a, 11b being equi-spaced. The rods 11a and 11b are interconnected by annular plates 6 to allow the rods 11a to be movable relative to rods 11c. Plate 12 has an Y aperture 13 of same diameter as the aperture in the flange 10.

Conveyor means includes a horizontal track 14 of substantially annular shape in plan mounted around the frame 9, the track 14 having a series of freely-rotatable, frictionless rollers 15 transversely mounted between two stationary members. The frame 9, at each end, is provided with an upright spindle 16 joumalled in bearings for rotation and on each of which are mounted two vertically spaced grooved pulley wheels 17. The spindle 16 at the delivery end of the frame 9 is driven and is provided, at its lower end, with positioning means constituted by an indexing plate in the form of a disc 18 with four equi-spaced notches 19. An aircylinder and piston arrangement 20 is provided, the outer end of the piston of which has a roller 20a adapted to enter into each notch 19 in turn to secure the indexing plate in position after each rotational movement of the spindle 16 in a manner to be described hereinafter. Adjacent to the upper end of the spindle 16, there is provided a second air cylinder and piston arrangement 21. The outer end of the piston of the arrangement 21 is secured by a lug 24 to two chains 22 arranged around two pairs of sprocket wheels 23a and 23b, the cylinder of the arrangement 21 being secured to the frame 9. One pair of the sprocket wheels 23a is secured to the upper end of the spindle l6 and the other pair of sprocket wheels 23b is mounted on the frame 9 for free rotational movement. On actuation, the piston and cylinder arrangement 21 extends to move the chains 22 towards the spindle l6 and in so doing rotates the spindle 16 a predetermined rotational distance. The sprocket wheels 23a are each provided with a reverse free wheel movement so that after the predetermined rotational movement has been completed they can free wheel back to their initial position without rotating the spindle 16 as the piston of the piston and cylinder arrangement 21 retracts. Around each corresponding pair of wheels 17 is located an endless belt 25. A series of upright stack supports 26 (FIG. 6), in this instance 44, are mounted on the belts 25 and each stack support terminates above the track 14. Each stack support 26 is of a substantially U-forrnation in plan view and comprises three uprights 27, one of which is located mid-way of the web and is secured to the two endless belts 25, and one at each of the outer ends of the limbs. The upright 27 located mid-way of the web of each support 26 is secured to a tooth positioned on the other side of the belts from the upright, these teeth 27a meshing with the grooves on the wheels 17 to prevent slip and maintain the pitch between each of said uprights 27 of the web. The uprights 27 are secured together by a clip 28 at two places, one adjacent to the top and one adjacent to the bottom of the uprights 27. Each clip 28 is of U-shape and comprises three straps 29 of metal, one strap for the web which has both ends bent inwardly, and two straps, one for each limb, these two straps having only one bent end. The straps 29 are secured together at their two abutting bent ends by means of an elongate rivet 30, the inside of the head 31 of each rivet 30 being abutted by one end of a helical spring 32, the other end of the spring 32 abutting the inside face of the respective bent end of the web strap 29. Each rivet 30 terminates on the outside of the bent end straps 29. The upright 27 located mid-way of the web of each stack support 26 is provided at its top and bottom ends with a peg 39 each of which is engageable in a channel of aU-shaped rail 40, the channels of which rails are inwardly directed; the pegs 39 and rails 40 serving to holdthe stack supports 26 upright and to prevent lateral movement.

Control means responsive to the height of a column in the column-holding means 12 are provided in a compressed air circuit with the piston and cylinder arrangements 20, 21. The control means includes two valves 33, 34, valve 33 being located vertically above valve 34. Each valve 33, 34 has a movable member 35 terminating at its outer end in a roller 36. The movable member 35 of the valve 33 is pivoted at 37 i.e. at its inner end, and the movable member 35 of valve 34 is pivoted at 38 i.e. at a point mid-way of its length. When a column of can ends is located in the column-holding means 10 12, both rollers 36 abut against the sides of the can ends. When in this position, member 35 and valve 33 is closed as is also valve 34. Valve 33 is positioned before valve 34 in an air circuit such that no air can pass to valve 34 until valve 33 is opened. The air circuit includes a supply of compressed air which is fed first to valve 33 then to valve 34 the piston and cylinder arrangement 21 and then to arrangement 20.

In use, the feeding apparatus is positioned with the column-holdingmeans 10 12 feeding into machinery for the purpose aforesaid with the flange 10 secured thereto. The means 10 12 can be raised or lowered by position adjusting the rods 11a, 11b. The height-adjustable feet 7 are adjusted if necessary to raise or lower the frame relative to the machinery. Stacks, each of about 250 can ends, are placed in each of the stack supports 26. The can ends can either be placed in the stack supports 26 loose, bagged or wrapped, the wrapper being removed after the stack is located in the respective stack support 26. The stacks can be positioned in any of the stack supports 26 located about the frame but preferably in supports at a position on the side opposite to the side feeding along to the delivery end. The stacks of can ends can be positioned in the stack supports 26 either by pushing them into the support from the front or by feeding them down from the top. The valves 33, 34 and arrangements 20, 21 are connected to the supply of air. A column of can ends is manually located in the column-holding means. The machinery for the purpose aforesaid is started and can ends are fed, one at a time, from the leading end i.e. the lower end, of the column via a feed magazine to the machinery for the purpose aforesaid. As the can ends are so fed, the column diminishes in height. When the top of the column passes below roller 36 to valve 33, air is fed to the valve 34. When the top of the column passes below roller 36 of valve 34, air is fed through the valve 34 to the arrangement 21, and then to the arrangement 20 to respectively extend the piston of arrangement 21 and extend the piston of arrangement 20.

This causes respectively the chains 22 to be moved to rotate the spindle 16 which causes movement of the belts 25, the roller 20a to abut and roll along the circumference of the indexing plate. When the roller 20a enters the next groove, stopping rotational movement of the spindle 16, a stack support 26 full of can ends is in position over the aperture 13 of plate 12 so that the can ends therein can move theredown to fill the column-holding means and in doing so resetting the valves 33, 34. When the valves 33, 34 are reset, the arrangements 20, 21 are respectively retracted. This sequence of events is repeated each time the valves 33, 34 are opened. This sequence of events takes place for as long as the apparatus is required to function; emptied stack supports 26 being re-stacked during opera- I tion so that the sequence need not be interrupted.

The plate 12 is preferably radially position-adjustable on the frame 9 by means of bolts and nuts 5 engaging in holes 4 on the plate and a hole in the frame 9 so that the plate 12 can be positioned relative to the track In a second embodiment, like parts are denoted .by l

the same numerals used in the first embodiment. A frame 9 is mounted on a stand (not shown) with heightadjustable feet, one end of which frame 9 is hereinafter called the delivery end at which column-holding means are located comprising the annular flange 10 adapted for mounting on a feed magazine (not shown) through which can ends 41 are passed to a machine for the purpose aforesaid. Four rods 11 upstand from the flange l0, and are equi-spaced around the inner peripheral edge thereof. The top of the rods I] carry a plate 12 having the aperture 13 therein of the same diameter as the inner diameter of the flange 10. A first pair of extension rods 42 are mounted to upstand on the plate 12 and are in axial alignment with two corresponding subjacent rods 11. Positioning means are provided and comprise a second pair of upstanding extension rods 43 serving as a gate, each rod 43 being carried by the outer end of a piston of first and second piston and cylinder arrangements 44, 45 respectively, each arrangement being mounted laterally of its corresponding extension rod 43. Each of the second pair of the extension rods 43 is adapted under the influence of its corresponding arrangement to be located, in its extended position, in axial alignment with a corresponding rod 11 of the other two subjacent rods 11.

Conveyor means comprises two vertically spaced conveyors, 46 located on one side only of the frame 9, each being of the slatted band chain type, and each arranged around two horizontally spaced sprockets 47 suitable for use with slatted band chain type of conveyors 46. The positioning means is located adjacent to the delivery end of the conveyors 46. The sprocket 47 at the loading end of the conveyors 46 each have a freewheel sprocket wheel 48 mounted axially therewith. Two idling sprocket wheels 49 are mounted adjacent to the free-wheel sprocket wheel 48 on the upper conveyor 46, one on each side thereof in side elevation. A conventional chain 50 is fed around the lower arc of the free-wheel sprocket wheel 48 on the lower conveyor 46, over the upper arc of one of the two idling sprocket wheels 49, around the second of the idling sprocket wheels 49, over the upper arc of the freewheel sprocket wheel 48, of the upper conveyor 46, and back to the free-wheel sprocket wheel 48, of the lower conveyor 46. A lug 51 is mounted on the chain 50 between the two free-wheel sprocket wheels 48 and is connected to the outer end of a piston of a third piston and cylinder arrangement 52, the cylinder of which is stationary mounted. When the piston is extended, the chain 50 moves a predetermined amount, rotating the wheels 48, 49 and thereby the sprockets 47 and conveyors 46 in a direction towards the delivery end and when this move has been completed, the piston of the arrangement 52 is retracted and the two freewheel sprocket wheels 48 return to their original position under their free-wheel thereby not causing the conveyors 46 to correspondingly move. The chain 50 may be re-positioned, at frequent time intervals, around the sprocket wheels 48, 49 to prevent excessive wear to one part of the chain 50. The amount of forward movement of the conveyors 46 is determined by the amount of forward movement required to move a stack of can ends 41, from a supply of upright stacks of can ends 41 located between the two conveyors 46, to a position to enable the positioning means to position said stack on top of the diminished column.

Support means for the stacks between the conveyors 46 are provided along one longitudinal side of the conveyors 46, and therebetween. The support means comprise a series of, in this embodiment, 25, upright bar members 53 mounted equidistantly on two vertically spaced horizontal supports 54. Four laterally mounted fourth piston and cylinder arrangementsSS are located one at each end of each horizontal support 54. In the extended position of their corresponding pistons, the

bar members 53 are located immediately above a marginal longitudinal edge of the lower conveyor 46 and under the corresponding marginal longitudinal edge of the upper conveyor 46. In this position of the support means, a stack of can ends 41 is located between each adjacent pair of bar members 53, and is supported in its upright position by said bar member 53. In a retracted position of their corresponding pistons, the bar members 53 are located away from the conveyor 46. The pistons of the arrangements 55 are in the retracted position when the conveyors 46 move forward. The upper conveyor 46 is longer than the lower conveyor 46 and extends 'over the top of the column-holding means 10 12 and positioning means 43-45. In the present embodiment, each second slat of the upper conveyor 46 has an outstanding biased member 56, at right angles thereto. Each biased member 56 comprises a spindle 57 to-axially located in a tube 58 for sliding movement therewith, and adapted for non-rotational movement relative thereto by a stop 59 radially carried by the spindle and projecting out through a longitudinal slop 60 in the wall of the tube 58. The outer end of the spindle 57 has a cap 61 of truncated conical shape in cross-section. A tension spring not shown is located around the spindle, one end thereof abutting the tube and the other end thereof abutting the top of the cap.

Control means responsive to the height of a column in the column-holding means are provided and comprise two sensors; a first sensor 62 located above the plate 12 and a second sensor located vertically below the first sensor 62 and level with the plate 12. The first sensor 62 is operatively connected to the first and second piston and cylinder arrangements 44, 45 to operate the gate formed by the second pair of extended rods 43. The second sensor 63 is operatively connected to the fourth piston and cylinder arrangement 55 of the support means and the third piston and cylinder arrangement 52 of the conveyor means.

Because of the use of slatted band chain conveyors 46, it is necessary to have a series of support rollers 64 under the upper flight of the lower conveyor 46 and under and above the lower flight of the upper conveyor 46. A deck (not shown) may also be provided under the upper flight of the lower conveyor 46.

In a modification, the column holding means and positioning means may be positioned at right angles at the delivery end to the conveyor means. In this case, the positioning means includes a further piston and cylinder arrangement mounted on the other side of the conveyor means from the column-holding means and adapted to move a loading stack from the delivery end of the conveyor means in a direction at right angles thereto, to a position in which a second pair of extension rods can move together by the extension of the respective pistons to position the stack on top of the diminished column.

ln use, the feeding apparatus of the second embodiment is mounted above existing machinery for the purpose' aforesaid, as in the first embodiment. Stacks each of about 250 loose can ends 41, are placed between the two conveyors 46. The cap 61 of each biased member 56 abuts the upper surface of the top can end 41 of each stack and pressurizes the can ends 41 together, under the influence of the spring, to form as solid a stack as is possible with loose can ends. The number of v stance, twenty-four stacks. The various piston and cylinder arrangements 44, 45, 52, 55 and the two sensors 62, 63 are connected up to a reservoir of air. A column of can ends 41 is located manually in the holding means, the column to extend up beyond the first sensor 62. The machine for the purpose aforesaid is started and can ends 41 are fed, one at a time, from the leading end, i.e. the lower end, of the column via a feed magazine to the machinery for the purpose aforesaid. As the can ends 41 are so fed, the column diminishes. When the top of the column passes below the first sensor 62, this first sensor 62 responds by sending a signal to operate the positioning means to open the gate, i.e. to move the second pair of extension rods 43 away from each other. When the top of the column passes below the second sensor 63, this second sensor 63 then sends a signal to withdraw the bar member 53 of the support means from between the conveyors 46, and activates the third piston and cylinder arrangement 52 to move the conveyors 46 in the manner hereinbefore described to feed the leading stack, i.e. that s'tack adjacent to the delivery end, forward to a position to enable the positioning means to position the stack on the column. After the conveyors 46 have moved forward the predetermined distance, the first and second piston and cylinder arrangement 44, 45 extend to move the second pair of extension rods 43, together i.e. to close the gate. As the secondpair of extension rods 43 move together, they abut the wall of the stack, i.e. the edges of the can ends 41 and by their further movement together cause the stack to move onto the top of the diminished column. The bar members 53 of the support means are then returned to their position between the conveyors 46. This sequence of events repeats itself whenever the top of the column falls below the first and second sensors 62, 63.

In the modification of the second embodiment, the sequence of events are as before with the addition that a further piston and cylinder arrangement (not shown) moves the stack, once positioned by the conveyors 46, to a position transverse of the conveyors 46, at which the second pair of extension rods 43 can abut the wall of the stack.

Rods 11 in FIG. 7 and rods 11a, 11b in FIGS. 1 and 4 are telescopic to allow built-in height adjustment of the column-holding means when the machinery for the purpose aforesaid is used to seam can ends to large cans and then to small cans or vice versa.

Can ends 41 of any type of metal, foil or plastics, or a combination thereof may be used with this apparatus, and the can ends 41 may be of any shape in plan or in cross-section. The above description relates to conventional circular can ends 41 of one diameter, and the apparatus can easily be modified to use ends of greater or lesser diameter. Other shapes of can ends 41 can be used on the apparatus of the present invention by making suitable adjustments.

Means for stopping the machinery for the purpose aforesaid may be provided so that, if for some reason, a stack of can ends is not fed to replenish the column within a predetermined time, the means operate to stop open topped cans being fed under the feed magazine.

The sensors 62, 63 may be replaced by valves as used in the first embodiment.

Indexing means may be provided for the second embodiment.

The apparatus of both embodiments although described as being operated pneumatically may be operated electrically or electronically.

Iclaim:

l. A feeding apparatus including column-holding means for location of an upright column of can ends from the leading end of which column can ends are fed one at a time in succession to can end seaming machinery, conveyor means for carrying a supply of upright stacks of can ends for replenishing said column and including a frame, an outwardly projecting track mounted around said frame and an opening therein communicating with said column-holding means which is located under the opening below the level of the track, two endless belts mounted around said frame above the track and vertically spaced apart, each belt being arranged between two spaced grooved pulley wheels, one corresponding wheel for each belt being mounted on an upright spindle carried at each end of the frame, each belt having teeth on its inner surface to mesh with the grooves on the wheels, at least one spindle being driven, and a series of upright stack supports carried by said belts, the lower end of each support terminating above the track, positioning means for positioning each stack of can ends in turn on top of the diminished column by indexing the belts for predetermined movements around the track to bring each stack support in turn into alignment with the column-holding means to allow a stack of can ends located in a stack support to be transferred through said opening in the track to the column-holding means, the positioning means including an indexing plate mounted on the lower end of the driven spindle, the plate being a disc having a plurality of notches cut in its circumference and into each notch in turn the outer end of a piston of a first piston and cylinder arrangement is adapted to be located after each rotational movement of the spindle caused by driving means including at least one endless chain arranged around a sprocket wheel, having a free 4 wheel reverse movement, located on the upper end of the driven spindle and a freely rotatable sprocket wheel located above the frame, the outer end of a piston of 'a second piston and cylinder arrangement being secured through a lug to one side of the chain whereby on extension of said second piston and cylinder arrangement, the chain is moved to rotate the sprocket wheel and spindle a predetermined rotational distance and on retraction the pulley wheel rotates with the chain but the spindle is prevented from movement by the action of the positioning means and the free wheel on the sprocket wheel, and control means responsive to the height of said column for operating the conveyor means to feed a stack to enable the positioning means to locate the said stack on the column.

2. Apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein said control means includes two valves vertically spaced above the column-holding means and in circuit with a supply of compressed air and the first and second piston and cylinder arrangements, the valves each having a movable member the outer end of which is a roller adapted to abut the side of a stack of can ends when located above the column-holding means, the upper valve being actuated to allow air to pass from the air supply to the lower valve, when the top of the stack of can ends passes below its level, the lower valve being actuated to extend the piston of each of the first and second piston and cylinder arrangements respectively, when the top of the stack of can ends passes below its level, the valves being reset and the pistons of the arrangements being returned to their initial position on location of a stack of can ends above the column-holding means.

3. Apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein said column-holding means includes an annular flange, four equi-spaced rods'upstanding from the inner periphery of the top face of said of said flange, and a plate supported by the upper ends of said rods and having a circular aperture of same periphery as the inner periphery of the flange.

4. Apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein each stack support is of a substantially Uformation in crosssection, the limbs of the support being resilient for relative movement apart to allow the stack support to be front-loaded with a column of can ends.

5. A feeding apparatus including a colurrm-holding means for location of an uprightcolumn of can ends from the leading end of which column can ends are fed one at a time in succession to can end seaming machinery, conveyor means for carrying a supply of upright stacks of can ends for replenishing said column and including two-vertically spaced conveyors each located around two sprocket wheels projecting out from one side of a frame, the column-holding means being located at the delivery end of the conveyors, the top conveyor having a series of outwardly projecting biased members, each for location, when located depending from the lower flight of the conveyor, at the top of a stack of can ends located between the two conveyors and serving to assist in keeping the stack of can ends together, support means being provided along one longitudinal side of the conveyors between the two conveyors to support and position the upright stacks of can ends, positioning means for positioning each stack of can ends in turn on top of the diminished column from the conveyor means, and control means responsive to the height of said column for operating the conveyor means to feed a stack to enable the positioning means to locate the said stack on the column.

6. Apparatus as claimed in claim 5, wherein said support means includes a series of upright members mounted on supports and adapted for lateral movement between an inboard and an outboard position in which respectively the members support the stacks, and are withdrawn from the stacks to allow movement of the stacks and conveyors towards the delivery end thereof.

7. Apparatus as claimed in claimed in claim 5, wherein said column-holding means includes an annular flange, four equispaced rods upstanding from the inner periphery of the top face of said flange, a plate supported by the upper ends of said rods and having a circular aperture of same periphery as the inner periphery of the flange, and a first pair of extension rods upstanding from the plate and co-axial with two of the subjacent rods on the side of the column-holding means remote from the frame.

8. Apparatus as claimed in claim 7, wherein said positioning means includes a second pair of extension rods located above the plate, and each movable by extenslon and retraction of a plston of a piston and cylinder arrangement to an inboard position in which the rods are co-axial with the other two subjacent rods and to an outboard position, a stack of can ends fed from the conveyor to the columnholding means being positioned by the movement of the rods for the stack to be located above the aperture of the plate to allow can ends to be fed on to the top of the column of can ends in the column-holding means.

9. Apparatus as claimed in claim 8, wherein said control means includes two vertically spaced sensors, an

upper sensor spaced above and a lower sensor spaced level with the plate of the column-holding means, the sensors being in circuit with a supply of air and with a piston and cylinder arrangement of the driving means, each sensor being actuated on the level of the stack of can ends passing below its level, the upper sensor being actuated to retract the piston and cylinder arrangements of the positioning means to place the extension rods in an outboard position, and the lower sensor being actuated to extend the piston and cylinder arrangement of the driving means, the sensors being reset and the movements of all the piston and cylinder arrangements reversed when a further stack of can ends is located on top of the column of can ends in the column-holding means.

10. Apparatus as claimed in claim 9, wherein said driving means includes an endless chain located around four sprocket wheels, two of which have a free wheel reverse movement, one of each of these two wheels being located at the loading end of the two conveyors and mounted axially with the corresponding sprocket wheel, the other two sprocket wheels being idling wheels, the piston of the piston and cylinder arrangement being secured by a lug to the chain, extension of the piston causing movement of the conveyors towards the column-holding means, and retraction of the piston causing no movement to the conveyors due to the freewheel reverse movement of the sprocket wheels. 

1. A feeding apparatus including column-holding means for location of an upright column of can ends from the leading end of which column can ends are fed one at a time in succession to can end seaming machinery, conveyor means for carrying a supply of upright stacks of can ends for replenishing said column and including a frame, an outwardly projecting track mounted around said frame and an opening therein communicating with said columnholding means which is located under the opening below the level of the track, two endless belts mounted around said frame above the track and vertically spaced apart, each belt being arranged between two spaced grooved pulley wheels, one corresponding wheel for each belt being mounted on an upright spindle carried at each end of the frame, each belt having teeth on its inner surface to mesh with the grooves on the wheels, at least one spindle being driven, and a series of upright stack supports carried by said belts, the lower end of each support terminating above the track, positioning means for positioning each stack of can ends in turn on top of the diminished column by indexing the belts for predetermined movements around the track to bring each stack support in turn into alignment with the column-holding means to allow a stack of can ends located in a stack support to be transferred through said opening in the track to the columnholding means, the positioning means including an indexing plate mounted on the lower end of the driven spindle, the plate being a disc having a plurality of notches cut in its circumference and into each notch in turn the outer end of a piston of a first piston and cylinder arrangement is adapted to be located after each rotational movement of the spindle caused by driving means including at least one endless chain arranged around a sprocket wheel, having a free wheel reverse movement, located on the upper end of the driven spindle and a freely rotatable sprocket wheel located above the frame, the outer end of a piston of a second piston and cylinder arrangement being secured through a lug to one side of the chain whereby on extension of said second piston and cylinder arrangement, the chain is moved to rotate the sprocket wheel and spindle a predetermined rotational distance and on retraction the pulley wheel rotates with the chain but the spindle is prevented from Movement by the action of the positioning means and the free wheel on the sprocket wheel, and control means responsive to the height of said column for operating the conveyor means to feed a stack to enable the positioning means to locate the said stack on the column.
 2. Apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein said control means includes two valves vertically spaced above the column-holding means and in circuit with a supply of compressed air and the first and second piston and cylinder arrangements, the valves each having a movable member the outer end of which is a roller adapted to abut the side of a stack of can ends when located above the column-holding means, the upper valve being actuated to allow air to pass from the air supply to the lower valve, when the top of the stack of can ends passes below its level, the lower valve being actuated to extend the piston of each of the first and second piston and cylinder arrangements respectively, when the top of the stack of can ends passes below its level, the valves being reset and the pistons of the arrangements being returned to their initial position on location of a stack of can ends above the column-holding means.
 3. Apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein said column-holding means includes an annular flange, four equi-spaced rods upstanding from the inner periphery of the top face of said of said flange, and a plate supported by the upper ends of said rods and having a circular aperture of same periphery as the inner periphery of the flange.
 4. Apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein each stack support is of a substantially U-formation in cross-section, the limbs of the support being resilient for relative movement apart to allow the stack support to be front-loaded with a column of can ends.
 5. A feeding apparatus including a column-holding means for location of an upright column of can ends from the leading end of which column can ends are fed one at a time in succession to can end seaming machinery, conveyor means for carrying a supply of upright stacks of can ends for replenishing said column and including two vertically spaced conveyors each located around two sprocket wheels projecting out from one side of a frame, the column-holding means being located at the delivery end of the conveyors, the top conveyor having a series of outwardly projecting biased members, each for location, when located depending from the lower flight of the conveyor, at the top of a stack of can ends located between the two conveyors and serving to assist in keeping the stack of can ends together, support means being provided along one longitudinal side of the conveyors between the two conveyors to support and position the upright stacks of can ends, positioning means for positioning each stack of can ends in turn on top of the diminished column from the conveyor means, and control means responsive to the height of said column for operating the conveyor means to feed a stack to enable the positioning means to locate the said stack on the column.
 6. Apparatus as claimed in claim 5, wherein said support means includes a series of upright members mounted on supports and adapted for lateral movement between an inboard and an outboard position in which respectively the members support the stacks, and are withdrawn from the stacks to allow movement of the stacks and conveyors towards the delivery end thereof.
 7. Apparatus as claimed in claimed in claim 5, wherein said column-holding means includes an annular flange, four equispaced rods upstanding from the inner periphery of the top face of said flange, a plate supported by the upper ends of said rods and having a circular aperture of same periphery as the inner periphery of the flange, and a first pair of extension rods upstanding from the plate and co-axial with two of the subjacent rods on the side of the column-holding means remote from the frame.
 8. Apparatus as claimed in claim 7, wherein said positioning means includes a second pair of extension rods located above the plate, and each movable by extension and retraction of a piston of a piston and cylinder arrangement to an inboard position in which the rods are co-axial with the other two subjacent rods and to an outboard position, a stack of can ends fed from the conveyor to the column-holding means being positioned by the movement of the rods for the stack to be located above the aperture of the plate to allow can ends to be fed on to the top of the column of can ends in the column-holding means.
 9. Apparatus as claimed in claim 8, wherein said control means includes two vertically spaced sensors, an upper sensor spaced above and a lower sensor spaced level with the plate of the column-holding means, the sensors being in circuit with a supply of air and with a piston and cylinder arrangement of the driving means, each sensor being actuated on the level of the stack of can ends passing below its level, the upper sensor being actuated to retract the piston and cylinder arrangements of the positioning means to place the extension rods in an outboard position, and the lower sensor being actuated to extend the piston and cylinder arrangement of the driving means, the sensors being reset and the movements of all the piston and cylinder arrangements reversed when a further stack of can ends is located on top of the column of can ends in the column-holding means.
 10. Apparatus as claimed in claim 9, wherein said driving means includes an endless chain located around four sprocket wheels, two of which have a free wheel reverse movement, one of each of these two wheels being located at the loading end of the two conveyors and mounted axially with the corresponding sprocket wheel, the other two sprocket wheels being idling wheels, the piston of the piston and cylinder arrangement being secured by a lug to the chain, extension of the piston causing movement of the conveyors towards the column-holding means, and retraction of the piston causing no movement to the conveyors due to the free-wheel reverse movement of the sprocket wheels. 